Custodians, Security Officers Picket For Better Wages, Benefits

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Custodians and security officers held a picket outside Motorists Insurance on E. Broad St. Monday afternoon. The workers called on the city's largest companies to consider better wages and benefits for contracted employees.(Photo: Mandie Trimble, WOSU News Reporter)

Custodians and security officers held a picket outside Motorists Insurance on E. Broad St. Monday afternoon. The workers called on the city's largest companies to consider better wages and benefits for contracted employees.(Photo: Mandie Trimble, WOSU News Reporter)

Despite the cityâ€™s unemployment rate being the lowest in the state, Columbus custodians and security officers say they remain at near poverty levels. WOSU attended a picket Monday afternoon where workers called for better benefits.

About 75 janitors, security guards and their supporters marched in front of the Motorist Insurance building on East Broad Street. They carried signs that read â€œwe deserve respect,â€ â€œsecure Columbusâ€™ future,â€ and â€œstand for security.â€

Thomas Simmons, who is a contracted security guard through Universal Protection Services at a downtown Columbus building, summed up what the workers want from some of the cityâ€™s largest businesses.

â€œTo get the company at the bargaining table where we can negotiate a fair and equitable contract that will be fair for everyone.”

Archie Sims is a security officer with Universal Protection Services at Rhodes Tower. Sims said he makes $10.25 an hour. He said thatâ€™s barely enough to support his family of four, much less have money left over for the company insurance plan.

â€œYou canâ€™t afford it. Because of what we make an hour you have to make a decision. Should I pay this or should I pay rent?” Sims said.

Nearly one in five Franklin County residents lives below the poverty level â€“ a rate slightly higher than all of Ohio. The federal government says a family of four lives in poverty if their household income is $23,500 a year.

Shawn Brentlinger holds a sign that says Aetna exploits janitors. Thatâ€™s Aetna Building Maintenance. Brentlinger is a custodian at Nationwide Insurance, specifically a carpet tech. He says he makes 10 bucks an hour. He says he doesnâ€™t want a different job, just better benefits.

â€œThe associates are great. They treat you with respect,” Brentlinger said. “But itâ€™s the employers who treat you like crap.â€

Brentlinger said he thinks the voices of many will get employersâ€™ attention.

â€œI donâ€™t know if Iâ€™m heard, but I know all of us will be heard.â€

Officials with Motorists Insurance and Aetna building maintenance declined comment.

The management group, Universal Services of America, says it values all its security and janitorial personnel. The group says it strives “to work with…clients to set the best pay and benefits packages…” while still remaining competititve.

Universal never gives raises. There is no PTO; you take a day off, it’s without pay. “Vacation” is a week’s pay, after being there one year- but no time off. They make you pay for your own uniforms + background checks. The folks at Rhodes get a half-hour off per day: two 5 min. breaks and a 20 minute lunch.

Concernedcitizen

Universal and Aetna need to bargain fair contracts with their employees!